Newly obtained prison records have shed light on the violence and intimidation faced by a transgender woman in Tasmania’s male prison. Marjorie Harwood died in 2018 fearing for her safety as she faced another custodial sentence. Her family now believe there is enough evidence for a coronial inquest.
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00:00 Rosemary Harwood was gripped with fear when her daughter Marjorie was sent to Risden Prison.
00:07 To go over and see her, there was bruises, marks, and she'd always say that she'd been insulted.
00:16 Marjorie endured intimidation and physical and sexual harassment in the male prison as a transgender woman.
00:24 She'd always say to me when she'd come out, "You're killing me, Mum."
00:30 In 2018, she faced another prison sentence for minor offences.
00:35 She stopped treatment for chronic kidney disease and died aged 38.
00:40 Prison and health records have now been obtained detailing Marjorie's experiences.
00:45 One said Marjorie wanted to identify as a woman and had taken hormones in the past.
00:51 It also highlighted big issues with safety because she was overtly female.
00:57 Another revealed a number of reported threats.
01:00 Marjorie had had enough of being targeted, was upset after a verbal attack,
01:06 and reported an invitation of a sexual nature which she found offensive.
01:11 She suffered an abscess thought to be from frequent spanking from inmates and reported being repeatedly punched.
01:18 Marjorie Harwood alleged she was raped in prison during her final sentence prior to her death.
01:24 Five years ago, her family called for a coronial inquest but were told more evidence was needed.
01:29 They now believe there's enough information to finally investigate what happened to Marjorie.
01:34 What an inquest can do is confirm the failures that took place and confirm the way the system could improve.
01:42 During Marjorie's final time in prison, a new policy was introduced to ensure the preferences of transgender inmates
01:49 and the overall safety of the prison are considered.
01:52 Staff also now receive mandatory training on LGBTIQA issues.
01:57 But it came too late for Marjorie.
02:00 She was incredibly brave, far braver than me at acknowledging her identity even as a teenager.
02:09 It was obvious that she should never have been in men's prison.
02:14 Tasmania's Justice Department says it is continuing to review its transgender prisoner policy.
02:19 We'll see.
02:19 [BLANK_AUDIO]